However, overtraining can lead to irritability, sleeplessness, diminished performance and decreased appetite, all of which contribute to mental exhaustion and fatigue. When it comes to training, a good workout can boost endorphins, the “happy hormone,” and help us feel calmer in the moment. Growth days are also vital to our mental health.

When we don’t give our bodies enough time and nutritious food between workouts to replenish this fuel source, we start feeling fatigued and tend to underperform.įewer growth days equals less energy and less gains. As we exercise, our glycogen gets depleted. Glycogen is the molecule that fuels activity. Growth days also are the time when our bodies replenish glycogen levels. If there are no growth days in your routine, continuous muscle breakdown may hinder your progress. Strenuous workouts cause muscle breakdown, while rest allows our bodies to build it back up. Downtime between workouts (whether you’re lifting, doing cardio or training for a sport) is when our bodies have a chance to actually build muscle. Growth daysįirst, we need to change our thinking: Days away from the gym might be known as rest days, but really, they’re growth days. Here’s why rest days are so important to see the gains you’re working toward. When working out this can be harder to see while we may think more exercise equals better results, science says this isn’t the case. When it comes to classes or work, we recognize that a few days off can be recharging and renewing.

Hypertrophy rest time